December 18, 2023, 79, Mount Olive —
Nelson Waters, loving husband, daddy, grandpa, pepa and great-grandpepa, passed away on December 18, 2023, leaving a hole in the hearts of his family and community.
Nelson was born on February 4, 1944, as the third of four siblings and was the only of his siblings to be born in a hospital. Nelson was raised in the White Flash community of Duplin County, where he lived his entire life in service to his family and the community. He was a member of B.F. Grady High School’s last graduating class was in 1962.
He spent his youth in the community surrounded by loving parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. After high school, he served in the National Guard for eight years. Nelson retired from DuPont after 38 years. He was not suited for retirement and soon found other work, working in various other positions for the next 12 years.
Nelson was a founding member of the Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department in 1973, working tirelessly with other community members to secure funding for start-up costs. His service continued for the next 50 ½ years. He was a state-certified fire instructor, and an active member of Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department, where he previously served as Captain and training officer, and the Duplin County Firefighters Association, where he previously served as President and Treasurer. Throughout his fire service, he was also a member of the Duplin County EMS Association, N.C. Fireman’s Association, the N.C. Association of Rescue and EMS and the N.C. Society of Fire and Rescue Instructors.
In addition to actively serving his community, Nelson served his family well. He married the love of his life, Clementine Swinson Waters, on June 23, 1964. Together they raised two daughters and spoiled four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by Clementine, his wife of 59 years, two daughters, Janet Waters Price Hill (Lee) and Susan Waters Carr (Jon), four grandchildren, Nelson Glenn Price (Nicole), William David Price, Ella Lee Carr, Paul Waters Carr, and two great-grandchildren, Aliyah and Autumn Price (who he lovingly called “sweetheart” and “sweetpea” respectively). These children will cherish the time spent with their Grandpa/Pepa. In addition, Nelson is survived by his sister, Rubylene Lambert, sisters-in-law Deborah Waters, Ramona Harrell, Deloris Outlaw, and brothers-in-law, Robert Swinson (Sandra) and Dexter Swinson, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Nelson was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Nelson Waters and Ruby Howell Waters, and two siblings, Josephine Waters McKee and Milford Howell Waters.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department at 1794 Red Hill Rd., Mt. Olive, NC, with a burial immediately following at the William John Swinson family cemetery at 837 Beautancus Road Mt. Olive, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to
Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Wayland Southerland
645 Bennett’s Bridge Road
Mt. Olive, NC 28365
